# Phillis Wheatley — Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral character guide > Phillis Wheatley in Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral by Phillis Wheatley. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Phillis **First appearance:** 0003-poems-on-various-subjects-religious-and-moral ## Snapshot Brought from Africa at seven, she learned English in sixteen months and wrote herself into the republic of letters as its astonished prodigy. ## Who they are Wheatley is the enslaved Boston poet whose master's letter testifies that she read the most difficult parts of Scripture within sixteen months of arrival and taught herself to write. She inscribes her book to a countess, addresses Maecenas, and asks the Muses why partial grace gave fame to one alone of Afric's sable race. Her double position — humble servant and audacious claimant of the laurel — is the engine of the whole volume. ## In the story ### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/dedication) The author and dedicating servant, inscribing her poems to the Countess of Huntingdon. ### [Letter to the Publisher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/letter-to-the-publisher) The subject of the letter; described as having learned English and Latin rapidly and written to Reverend Occum. ### [Letter to the Publisher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/letter-to-the-publisher) The author of the letter and Phillis's master, who attests to her abilities. ### [Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/poems-on-various-subjects-religious-and-moral) The author and central figure of the poems, reflecting on her own spiritual and intellectual journey. ### [To Maecenas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-maecenas) Implied as the poet behind the speaker, referencing her own African heritage and the legacy of Terence. ### [To the University of Cambridge, in New-England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-the-university-of-cambridge-in-new-england) The speaker who recounts her journey from Africa and addresses the students. ### [To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty. 1768](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-the-king-s-most-excellent-majesty-1768) Author of the poem, though not directly named in the text. ### [On Being Brought from Africa to America](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/on-being-brought-from-africa-to-america) The speaker and author, reflecting on her own experience of being brought from Africa to America and her Christian conversion. ### [On the Death of the Rev. Dr. Sewell. 1769](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/on-the-death-of-the-rev-dr-sewell-1769) The poet, who speaks in first person and composes the epitaph. ### [On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 1770](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/on-the-death-of-the-rev-mr-george-whitefield-1770) The poet, speaking as 'we' and 'Americans' to mourn Whitefield's death and honor his legacy. ### [On Recollection](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/on-recollection) The poet who calls upon Mneme and reflects on her own past follies and the passage of eighteen years. ### [To the Right Honourable William, Earl of Dartmouth, His Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for North-America, etc.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-the-right-honourable-william-earl-of-dartmouth-his-majesty-s-principal-secretary-of-state-for-north-america-etc) The poet who speaks of her own enslavement and love of freedom. ### [To a Lady on Her Remarkable Preservation in an Hurricane in North-Carolina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-a-lady-on-her-remarkable-preservation-in-an-hurricane-in-north-carolina) The poet who composed this work. ### [On the Death of Dr. Samuel Marshall. 1771](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/on-the-death-of-dr-samuel-marshall-1771) The poet, expressing personal and communal grief. ### [To a Gentleman on His Voyage to Great-Britain for the Recovery of His Health](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-a-gentleman-on-his-voyage-to-great-britain-for-the-recovery-of-his-health) Author of the poem, writing in the voice of the narrator. ### [An Hymn to Humanity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/an-hymn-to-humanity) The poet who receives inspiration and strings her lyre, identified as 'Afric's muse'. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/iv) Addressed as 'G——y!' likely referring to Phillis Wheatley's heart perceiving the rushing God. ### [To S. M. A Young African Painter, on Seeing His Works](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-s-m-a-young-african-painter-on-seeing-his-works) The speaker who praises the young painter and reflects on the power of art and the promise of heavenly reward. ### [To His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, on the Death of His Lady. March 24, 1773](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-his-honour-the-lieutenant-governor-on-the-death-of-his-lady-march-24-1773) Implied as the 'Afric muse' who delivers the poem. ### [A Farewel to America. To Mrs. S. W.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/a-farewel-to-america-to-mrs-s-w) The speaker who bids farewell to New England and embarks for Britannia. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/v) The speaker who addresses Susanna, asking her not to mourn. ### [An Answer to the Rebus, by the Author of These Poems](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/an-answer-to-the-rebus-by-the-author-of-these-poems) The poet who cannot refuse to answer the rebus, showing the obedience of the infant muse. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/characters/phillis_wheatley - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/characters